System and method for switching railcars using a static rail-track configuration

ABSTRACT

The embodiments herein provide an onboard track switching mechanism for a railroad vehicle to switch from one track to another. Currently available onboard railroad vehicle switching mechanisms employ complicated coordination between one or more switching wheels and complex control systems. Accordingly, system and method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is disclosed. The system comprises a a running track that supports an automotive a switching track comprising a set of static components and a switching mechanism installed on the automotive. the switching mechanism configured for controlling the movement of one or more switching wheels such that when activated, the switching mechanism is configured to facilitate engagement of the one or more switching wheels with the switching track for carrying out a track changing operation for the automotive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase application of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international application with serial number PCT/US2018/061775 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 19, 2018 with the title “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING RAILCARS USING A STATIC RAIL-TRACK CONFIGURATION”, and claims the priority and the benefit of the Provisional Patent Application with Ser. No. 62/588,124, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 17, 2017, with the title “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING RAILCARS USING A STATIC RAIL-TRACK CONFIGURATION”. The contents of both the Provisional Patent Application and the PCT international application are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The embodiments herein disclose a mechanism for switching tracks of a railroad vehicle. The embodiments herein are particularly related to a system and method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks using static rail switch mechanism.

Description of the Related Art

Railroad carriages have been a popular means of transportation for more than a century. Most countries in the world posses a network of railway lines crisscrossing their lands. The mechanism of switching tracks of a railroad vehicle is one of the most important aspects of railroad travel, as this is the core for enabling the travel of a railroad vehicle in a desired direction.

Conventional rail switching systems use moving rails to switch direction of a railroad vehicle. These mechanisms, known as rail switches, are slow to re-configure from one position to the other. To accommodate for the low switching speed, a large distance is maintained between a plurality of railroad vehicles traveling to different destinations. To compensate for the loss of throughput due to this separation, railcars are organized into long trains. The railcars have to be tough and heavy to have the strength to pull lengthy trains. Due to their massive weight, railroads cause an extraordinary wear on the tracks, resulting in expensive construction and maintenance costs. Moreover, most of the wear and resulting maintenance cost is spent on the moving switches. A lack of proper maintenance often results in accidents.

To alleviate the above problems, there's a need for railcars to have onboard apparatus and mechanism to switch on otherwise passive rail tracks. Currently available onboard switching mechanisms employ very complex design with complex choreography of the apparatus requiring expensive control systems. This makes the overall system slow and accident prone.

Hence, there is a need for an uncomplicated onboard mechanism for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks.

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

Objectives of the Embodiments

The primary objective of the embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism for switching tracks of a railroad vehicle.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a system and method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks using no moving component on the rails or tracks.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a system and method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks using no active component on the rails or tracks.

Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a track switching mechanism for a railroad vehicle, where the switching of tracks is enabled through specially designed switching tracks.

Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a track-switching mechanism for a railroad vehicle, where the switching mechanism is controlled by onboard systems in the railroad vehicle.

Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a track-switching mechanism for a railroad vehicle, where the switching mechanism comprises a one or more switching wheels to enable the switching of tracks.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments herein provide a mechanism for switching tracks of a railroad vehicle. The various embodiments also provide a system and method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks using only static components in the rails.

According to one embodiment described herein, a track switching mechanism for a transportation system is disclosed. The track switching mechanism comprises a running track that supports an automotive, a switching track comprising a set of static components and a switching mechanism installed in at least one carriage of the automotive, the on-board switching configured for controlling the movement of a one or more switching wheels such that when activated the switching mechanism is configured to facilitate engagement of the switching wheels with the switching track for carrying out a track changing operation for the automotive.

According to another embodiment herein, a system for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is disclosed. The system comprises a switching track comprising a set of static components and a switching mechanism installed in at least one rail coach, the switching mechanism configured for controlling the movement of one or more switching wheels such that when activated the switching mechanism is configured to facilitate engagement of the one or more switching wheels with the switching track for carrying out a track changing operation for the railroad vehicle.

According to another embodiment herein, a method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is disclosed. The method comprises steps of providing a switching track comprising a set of static components, coupling a one or more switching wheels to at least one rail coach, the set of switching wheels arranged to run along the switching track, installing a switching mechanism in each rail coach of the railroad vehicle, the switching mechanism configured for controlling the movement of the switching wheels and optionally activating the switching mechanism so as facilitate engagement of the switching wheels with the switching track for carrying out a track changing operation for the railroad vehicle by disengaging the railroad vehicle from a first running track and engaging the railroad vehicle with a second running track.

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating the preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement of running track and switching track with different gauges for enabling track switching for a railroad vehicle, according to an embodiment herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of track switching for a railroad vehicle using tracks of different gauges, according to an embodiment herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a junction point for switching of a railroad vehicle from one track to another, according to an embodiment herein.

FIG. 4a illustrates a bottom view of a railroad vehicle enabled with running wheels and switching wheels. according to an embodiment herein.

FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c illustrate a side view of a railroad vehicle enabled with running wheels and switching wheels, according to an embodiment herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of running track and switching track for enabling track switching for a railroad vehicle, according to an embodiment herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a track switching for a railroad vehicle, enabled by an embodiment herein.

Although specific features of the embodiments herein are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The various embodiments herein provide a mechanism for switching tracks of a railroad vehicle. The various embodiments also provide a system and method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks using only static components in the rails.

According to one embodiment herein, a system and method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is provided. The system comprises a dual guide way system. Both guide-ways are fixed and passive physically, mechanically, and electromagnetically. A first guide system, a running track, comprises a traditional parallel-rail system. The railroad vehicle generally travels on the network of running tracks. A second guide system, a switching track, is an arrangement that is placed only near the switching points on the track network, that is, at end points in the track network or at points where two tracks intersect. The switching track comprises a separate mono-rail or a parallel-rail system. Apparatus, onboard the railroad vehicle can be activated to engage with the switching track or not depending on the intended destination of the vehicle. Once engaged, the switching track enacts the track changing mechanism for the railroad vehicle by smoothly separating the railroad vehicle from one running track and placing it onto another running track.

According to one embodiment herein, a mechanism for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is provided. According to the present mechanism, the switching track is elevated above the miming tracks and above the railroad vehicle running on it. When the railroad vehicle approaches a switching point and intends to switch tracks, a one or more switching wheels in the railroad vehicle are activated to engage with the switching track. When the switching track and switching wheels are engaged, the railroad vehicle becomes suspended vertically down from the switching track. The switching track is designed to guide the railroad vehicle onto a second running track and place the railroad vehicle on the second running track. When the railroad vehicle approaches a switching point and intends to not switch tracks, the switching wheels are not activated and the railroad vehicle continues to travel on the same running track.

According to one embodiment herein, yet another mechanism for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is provided. According to the present mechanism, the switching track is at the same level as the running track. The gauge of the switching track and the running track are different. The switching track can be narrower or broader than the running track. At the bifurcation switching point, the switching track and the running track run in parallel for some distance before the switching point and diverge beyond the switching point. At the merging switching point, the switching track and running track run parallel to each other for some distance beyond the switching point. When the railroad vehicle approaches a switching point and intends to switch tracks, onboard apparatus including a one or more switching wheels is activated in the railroad vehicle. The switching wheels, when activated, are designed to get engaged to the switching track. When the switching track and switching wheels are engaged, the railroad vehicle is designed to disengage the primary running wheels from the running track. The switching track is designed to guide the railroad vehicle to a second running track and place the railroad vehicle on the second running track. When the railroad vehicle approaches a switching point and intends to not switch tracks, the switching wheels are not activated and the railroad vehicle continues to travel on the same running track.

According to one embodiment herein, yet another mechanism for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is provided. According to the present mechanism, the switching track starts at the same level as the running track and slowly rises to a height where vehicles running on the running track can pass under the switching track. The gauge of the switching track is broader than the running track. At the bifurcation switching point, the switching track and the running track run in parallel for some distance before the switching point and diverge beyond the switching point. At the merging switching point, the switching track and running track run parallel to each other for some distance beyond the switching point. When the railroad vehicle approaches a switching point and intends to switch tracks, onboard apparatus including a one or more switching wheels is activated in the railroad vehicle. The switching wheels, when activated, are designed to get engaged to the switching track. When the switching track and switching wheels are engaged, the railroad vehicle is designed to disengage the primary running wheels from the running track. The switching track is designed to guide the railroad vehicle to a second running track and place the railroad vehicle on the second running track. When the railroad vehicle approaches a switching point and intends to not switch tracks, the switching wheels are not activated and the railroad vehicle continues to travel on the same running track.

FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement of running track and switching track with different gauges for enabling track switching for a railroad vehicle. The system comprises a static switch with a dual guide system. Both guides are fixed mechanically and passive electromagnetically. A first guide system, a running track 101, comprises a traditional parallel-rail system. The railroad vehicle generally travels on the running track. A second guide system, a switching track 102, is an arrangement that is placed only near the switching points on the track network. The switching track 102 comprises a parallel-rail system at a gauge different than the running track.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of track switching for a railroad vehicle using tracks of different gauges. The switching track 102 acts as the track changing mechanism for the railroad vehicle by smoothly moving the railroad vehicle from one running track 101 to another running track 103.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a junction point for switching of a railroad vehicle from one track to another. The present embodiment acts as a building block for a network of rails.

FIG. 4a illustrates a bottom view of a railroad vehicle enabled with running wheels and switching wheels, according to an embodiment herein. Each wagon of railroad vehicle is fitted with sets of running wheels 401 and switching wheels 402.

FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c illustrate a side view of a railroad vehicle enabled with running wheels and switching wheels, according to an embodiment herein. The running wheels have a fixed height relative to the rail car. The switching wheels are protracted or retracted depending on whether the railcar intends to switch tracks or not switch tracks.

FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of running track and switching track for enabling track switching for a railroad vehicle, according to an embodiment herein. The system comprises a static switch with a dual guide system. Both guides are fixed through mechanical, physical or passive electromagnetic coupling. A first guide system, a running track 501, comprises a traditional parallel-rail system. The railroad vehicle travels on the running track. A second guide system, a switching track 502, is an arrangement that is placed only near the switching points on the running track. The switching track 502 comprises a mono-rail or a parallel-rail system, where the switching track is elevated as compared to the running track 501. The switching track 502 acts as the track changing mechanism for the railroad vehicle by smoothly moving the railroad vehicle from one running track 501 to another running track. The switching mechanism is activated by user in the railroad vehicle when a switching is necessary.

FIG. 6 illustrates a track switching for a railroad vehicle, enabled by an embodiment herein. The system comprises a running track 501, a switching track 502 and a railroad vehicle 601. The railroad vehicle 201 is equipped with running wheels 603 a, 603 b and switching wheels 604 a, 604 b. According to the present mechanism, the switching track 502 is elevated above the running tracks 501 and the railroad vehicle 601 running on it. When the railroad vehicle 601 approaches a switching point and intends to switch tracks, a user in the railroad vehicle is enabled to activate a one or more switching wheels 604 a, 604 b in the railroad vehicle 601. The switching wheels 604 a, 604 b are designed to get engaged to the switching track 502 when the switching wheels 604 a, 604 b are activated. When the switching track 502 and switching wheels 604 a, 604 b are engaged, the railroad vehicle 601 is suspended vertically from the switching track 502. The switching track 502 is designed to guide the railroad vehicle 601 to a second running track and place the railroad vehicle on the second running track. When the railroad vehicle 601 approaches a switching point and intends to not switch tracks, the switching wheels 604 a, 604 b are not activated and the railroad vehicle 601 continues to travel on the same running track.

According to another embodiment herein, a method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks is disclosed. The method comprises steps of providing a switching track comprising a set of static components, coupling a one or more switching wheels to at least one rail coach, the set of switching wheels arranged to run along the switching track, installing a switching mechanism in each rail coach of the railroad vehicle, the switching mechanism configured for controlling the movement of the switching wheels and optionally activating the switching mechanism so as facilitate engagement of the switching wheels with the switching track for carrying out a track changing operation for the railroad vehicle by disengaging the railroad vehicle from a first running track and engaging the railroad vehicle with a second running track.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such as specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A transportation system comprising a track switching mechanism, wherein the track switching mechanism comprising: a running track that supports an automotive; a switching track comprising a set of static components; and a switching mechanism installed on the automotive, the switching mechanism configured for controlling the movement of one or more switching wheels such that when activated, the switching mechanism is configured to facilitate engagement of the one or more switching wheels with the switching track for carrying out a track changing operation for the automotive.
 2. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the automotive is a railroad vehicle.
 3. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to be optionally engaged depending on a desired destination of the railroad vehicle.
 4. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching track is elevated above the running track and the gauge of the switching track is same as the gauge of the running track.
 5. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching track is positioned below the level of the running track and the gauge of the switching track is same as the gauge of the running track.
 6. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching track is elevated above the running track and the gauge of the switching track is different as the gauge of the running track.
 7. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching track is positioned below the level of the running track and the gauge of the switching track is different from the gauge of the running track.
 8. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching track is positioned at the level of the running track and the gauge of the switching track is different from the gauge of the running track.
 9. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching track is at the level of the running track at an initial stage and elevates gradually to a level so as to enable a vehicle moving on the running track to pass under the switching track.
 10. The transportation system according to claim 9, wherein the gauge of the switching track is broader than the gauge of running track.
 11. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the switching track comprises one of a mono-rail and a parallel-rail system.
 12. The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the automobile further comprises a set of running wheels configured to be engaged with the running track.
 13. The transportation system according to claim 12, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to disengage the running wheels subsequent to the engagement of the one or more switching wheels with the switching track.
 14. A method for enabling a railroad vehicle to switch tracks, the method comprising: providing a running track that supports the railroad vehicle; providing a switching track comprising a set of static components; coupling one or more switching wheels to at least one rail coach, the one or more switching wheels arranged to run along the switching track; installing a switching mechanism in the at least one rail coach of the railroad vehicle, the switching mechanism configured for controlling the movement of the one or more switching wheels; and optionally activating the switching mechanism so as facilitate engagement of the one or more switching wheels with the switching track for carrying out a track changing operation for the railroad vehicle by disengaging the railroad vehicle from a first running track and engaging the railroad vehicle with a second running track.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein each rail coach of the railroad vehicle further comprises a set of running wheels configured to be engaged with the running track.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein activating the switching mechanism further comprises disengaging the running wheels subsequent to the engagement of the one or more switching wheels with the switching track.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the switching track comprises one of a mono-rail and a parallel-rail system. 